Check out these new additions to Westchester County, NY, that cater to kids and families.

CaleCo Ballet Raises The Bar

A new dance studio opened its doors last month to dancers age 3 through young adult. Cue the opening of CaleCo Ballet in North Salem, which raised its curtain at the hands of two former principle dancers of the New York City Ballet, Maria Calegari and Bart Cook. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with such world-renowned dancers is complemented by CaleCo's extensive program offerings. Calegari and Cook offer classes in the Balanchine technique as well as other ballet styles, and their instruction is mixed with a passion and enjoyment for the art of movement and dance. In addition to learning this graceful art form, Calegari says the benefits of ballet and the quality of instruction that CaleCo offers can help kids and teens learn alignment, poise, grace, and manners.

While the summer session is already underway, CaleCo will host an open house on August 28 from 1-4pm to provide information about and enrollment opportunities for the studio's upcoming fall semester, which begins September 14. The open house will include three free half-hour classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers.

CaleCo Ballet is located at 2 Keeler Lane in North Salem. For more information, call 845-519-8858 or visit www.calecoballetstudio.com.

Drama in Pleasantville

Little Village Playhouse (LVP), a Pleasantville-based theater company, has added scene study acting and playwriting classes along with classes for adults to its upcoming fall curriculum.

Since 2001, LVP has provided instruction to aspiring Westchester thespians, with classes ranging from musical theatre writing to theatre workshops. Its programs strive to give students a well-rounded experience of what full-scale productions entail, from the audition process, to improvisational and acting skills, to the importance of set and costumes. The entire process culminates in a variety of productions at the end of each season.

LVP's mission is to teach its students the "communicative value of theatre," says Executive Director Adam Cohen, by producing contemporary or original pieces that send a poignant message to both the students and viewers. LVP is a place where students can consistently grow, Cohen says, adding that many begin at a young age and continue studying at LVP until they've graduate high school.

LVP has also planned to collaborate with The Chappaqua Drama Group to establish a theatre in Pleasantville, in order to serve the community there and expand the playhouse's vision.